Departure: Vierkaiserjahr
The accidental death of Wilhelm II just months after his accession to the throne created a serious crisis for the young German Empire. Prussia had not faced the prospect of a regency in centuries, and the suggestion of transferring the crown directly to Prince Albrecht Wilhelm Heinrich was nervously voiced in some quarters. In the end, though, the influence of Bismarck and Empress Victoria prevailed, and while Albrecht was made Prince Regent, the infant Wilhelm III was crowned emperor.
Prince Albrecht quickly proved himself a capable and level-headed administrator despite his youth, though he naturally depended on advice from his chancellor and mother to a large degree. Under the tutelage of Bismarck, his political skills grew quickly. As he wrote himself in his diary:
Thanks to Zmflavius, we now have a linklist for a significant chunk of the thread's story. Thanks!
I have tried to index every update post, and most of the relevant commentary posts by Carlton in this thread. I would have liked to put in headers, but I only thought of it about a fifth of the way in, so I didn’t but I may add them later. I was thinking that I would insert those every three months or so, with a major one every year (which Carlton already had in the post), along with headers for major update sequences and pivotal events (ie, the Congo Conference, the declaration of war, the Battle of Rügen, Armistice, etc.). Finding appropriate locations should be much easier now that all this has been indexed for you .
Also worth noting that I have not distinguished major updates/commentaries from minor, if someone would like to edit this, that may also be worth doing. Some of the commentary links could probably stand being cut entirely, I didn’t discriminate too hard for it, and some 70% of Carlton’s non-update posts I think made it into the final index.
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Potsdam, November 1888
A dreadfully apprehensive quiet had settled over the room, only occasionally broken by the rustle of cloth and the creak of furniture as the assembled courtiers fidgeted nervously. There was nothing that could be done now, of course. The Chancellor was said to be already on his way. His Highness Crown Prince Wilhelm sat in the lap of his nurse, his wide eyes wet with unshed tears as he stifled a quiet sob. Here and there, a glass clinked. Courage was where you found it, faith, pride or a bottle. One of the guards officers present caught his sabre on a side table, causing a vase to wobble dangerously. Nobody laughed or even commented as the luckless lieutenant scrambled to avert disaster. A valet shuffled forward to wordlessly remove the endangered object.
Footsteps in the corridor announced the arrival of the Chancellor, Otto Prince Bismarck. He entered with uncharacteristic quiet, a broad-shouldered, heavy-set man still physically impressive despite his advanced years. His face was ashen, the lively, deep-set eyes nervously darted around the room. They met the gaze of Empress Victoria and he quickly, almost perfunctorily bowed before sitting down across the table. A secretary entered, wordlessly placed a heavy bundle of papers before him, and departed again. Rain began to fall, heavy drops irregularly tapping the windowpanes.
Then, the door opened. A valet entered, hastily bowing to her Majesty before placing a small platter with a slip of paper before her. His voice nearly failed as he whispered, “Your Majesty, it is... from the Professor ... “ Victoria bit her lower lip as she stiffly picked up the notice, blanched, and handed it to Bismarck. She dabbed at her eyes with a silk handkerchief, averting her eyes. The Chancellor rose with uncharacteristic slowness, bowed his head and turned to the infant Crown Prince. “Gentlemen, by God's ineffable will, the Emperor has been taken from us. Long live Emperor Wilhelm III.” Comprehension flashed across the face of the new Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia, and he wailed with helpless tears of rage and despair.
The accidental death of Wilhelm II just months after his accession to the throne created a serious crisis for the young German Empire. Prussia had not faced the prospect of a regency in centuries, and the suggestion of transferring the crown directly to Prince Albrecht Wilhelm Heinrich was nervously voiced in some quarters. In the end, though, the influence of Bismarck and Empress Victoria prevailed, and while Albrecht was made Prince Regent, the infant Wilhelm III was crowned emperor.
Prince Albrecht quickly proved himself a capable and level-headed administrator despite his youth, though he naturally depended on advice from his chancellor and mother to a large degree. Under the tutelage of Bismarck, his political skills grew quickly. As he wrote himself in his diary:
The task that providence has placed upon me is almost too great for a mere man to contemplate, yet I am, resolved to fulfill it to the best of my abilities. I am but grateful that the cup of emperorship has passed from me. My nephew, poor little Wilhelm, will find the burden heavy on his shoulders once he understands its full scope. To me, the task has fallen to preserve his inheritance and to make the people of Prussia and of all Germany as happy, as safe, as mighty and prosperous as I know how. His will be the burden of turning the tools I shall one day place in his hands to good use. Professor Rankes Twelve Books are an invaluable support when my will falters. I will gladly be the Friedrich Wilhelm to his Frederick the Great.
(entry for 14 January 1889)
Thanks to Zmflavius, we now have a linklist for a significant chunk of the thread's story. Thanks!
I have tried to index every update post, and most of the relevant commentary posts by Carlton in this thread. I would have liked to put in headers, but I only thought of it about a fifth of the way in, so I didn’t but I may add them later. I was thinking that I would insert those every three months or so, with a major one every year (which Carlton already had in the post), along with headers for major update sequences and pivotal events (ie, the Congo Conference, the declaration of war, the Battle of Rügen, Armistice, etc.). Finding appropriate locations should be much easier now that all this has been indexed for you .
Also worth noting that I have not distinguished major updates/commentaries from minor, if someone would like to edit this, that may also be worth doing. Some of the commentary links could probably stand being cut entirely, I didn’t discriminate too hard for it, and some 70% of Carlton’s non-update posts I think made it into the final index.
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